How to prepare your hot tub foundation

Buying a hot tub? Check out our guide on how to prepare your hot tub foundation. Whether it’s on concrete, pavers, or a deck, you’ll want to keep these tips in mind.

After you’ve done your homework and have painstakingly chosen the perfect hot tub for your backyard, it’s time to prepare the area for installation. Since the average hot tub holds up to 475 gallons of water weighing close to 2 tons, laying the proper hot tub foundation is key to prevent cracking and leaking that could destroy your investment.

What to do before hot tub installation

Prior to installation, a hot tub will require some type of foundation, whether it is a deck or concrete pad. Before professionals arrive to assemble and install your hot tub, it’s your job to plot and prepare the proper location and lay the foundation.

A spa foundation should meet the following criteria:

10 feet away from overhead power lines.

Pipe connection to route water discharge away from tub.

Extra space near motor and pump for maintenance
purposes.

Strong, level ground support.

After scoping out the perfect area for your hot tub that meets the guidelines above, you can prepare the foundation 1 to 2 weeks before delivery and installation. You may have to hire a contractor to pour concrete for a base 4 inches thick to withstand up to 120 pounds of pressure per square foot.

If you don’t want to pay for concrete pouring, you can use a ready-made spa pad instead. Hot tub pads are designed to interlock together to create a solid, level base from materials that can be disassembled if you decide to relocate your tub in the future.

What is the best option for a hot tub foundation?

No matter what type of spa foundation you choose, it must provide a structurally sound, flat surface that is level enough to support the weight of a spa.

A professionally poured concrete slab is the preferred foundation for a hot tub. If a backyard has a slight slope or grade, the slab should be poured with no greater than a ½ inch slope at an 8 foot run. While concrete is recommended, other flooring materials can be used to create a slab, including concrete pavers, bricks, crushed rock, or pea gravel.

If you are a hot tub owner that dreams of soaking in a spa on your backyard deck, a pre-formed hot tub pad can be used for support. However, keep in mind that a contractor or structural engineer may be needed to test the maximum weight load your deck can hold before hot tub installation is approved.